Insecticidal triffluormethyl alkane derivatives

Abstract

There are provided new alkane and alkoxyalkane derivatives of the general formula I ##STR1##

in which R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ and A have the meanings given in the description, processes for their preparation and insecticidal and acaricidal compositions containing these compounds.

Description

The invention relates to new alkane and alkoxyalkane derivatives, processes for their preparation and insecticidal and acaricidal compositions containing these compounds.

It is already known that certain alkane and alkoxyalkane derivatives possess insecticidal and acaricidal properties (DE-OS No. 31 17 510 and DE-OS No. 33 17 908).

The object of the present invention is the preparation of new compounds that combat insects and spider mites better than compounds known for this purpose.

The alkane and alkoxyalkane derivatives of the invention are of the general formula I ##STR2##

in which

R₁ is aromatic or aromatic substituted by C₁-4 alkyl, halo-C₁-4 alkyl, phenyl-C₁-4 alkyl, C₂-4 alkenyl, halo-C₂-4 alkenyl, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyl, C₂-4 alkynyl, halo-C₂-4 alkynyl, phenyl-C₂-4 alkynyl, C₁-4 alkoxy, halo-C₁-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C₁-4 alkoxy, C₂-4 alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, C₂-4 alkynyloxy, halo-C₂-4 alkynyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkynyloxy, alkylsulphonyloxy, haloalkylsulphonyloxy, arylsulphonyloxy, halo, cyano, nitro, aryloxy, haloaryloxy, C₁-4 alkyl-aryloxy, or nitroaryloxy,

R₂ is hydrogen or C₁-4 alkyl,

R₃ is hydrogen, cyano or ethynyl,

R₄ is phenyl or pyridyl or these groups substituted by one or more of C₁-6 alkyl, halo-C₁-6 alkyl, phenyl-C₁-6 alkyl, C₂-6 alkyl interrupted by an O-, N- or S-atom, C₂-4 alkenyl, halo-C₂-4 alkenyl, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyl, C₁-4 alkoxy, halo-C₁-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C₁-4 alkoxy, C₂-4 alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, C₂-4 alkynyloxy, halo-C₂-4 alkynyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, haloaryloxy, C₁-4 alkylaryloxy, arylamino, haloarylamino, C₁-4 alkylarylamino, aryl-N-C₁-4 alkylamino, aryl-N-C₁-4 acylamino, aroyl, haloaroyl, C₁-4 alkylaroyl, aryl, haloaryl, C₁-4 alkylaryl or halo, and

A is C₂ or O.

It has been found that these compounds have a better insecticidal and acaricidal activity than structurally similar compounds.

The compounds of the invention are surprisingly highly active against a number of important plant pests, such as for example Plutella xylostella, Epilachna verivestis and Spodoptera littoralis. For this activity, highly active insecticides are known that can be used for combating these plant pests. The compounds of the invention also have activity against a number of economically important animal ectoparasites and public health pests.

The aromatic group designated as R₁ in general formula I includes aryl and heteroaryl such as phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, benzofuran-5-yl, benzothiophen-5-yl, benzofuran-6-yl, benzothiophen-6-yl, benzoxazol-5-yl, benzoxazol-6-yl, indan-5-yl, indan-6-yl, 1,4-benzodioxan-6-yl, 1,3-benzodioxan-6-yl, 1,3-benzodioxan-7-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl.

Compounds of the invention showing particularly good insecticidal and acaricidal activity are those in which in general formula I

R₁ is chlorophenyl, bromophenyl, fluorophenyl, methylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, difluoromethoxyphenyl, fluorethoxyphenyl, or trifluoroethoxyphenyl,

R₂ is hydrogen or methyl,

R₃ is hydrogen,

R₄ is phenoxyphenyl, fluorophenoxyphenyl or phenoxypyridyl and

A is CH₂ or O.

The compounds of the invention exist as optional isomers. The invention includes all isomers as well as mixtures of them.

The compounds of the invention, where A=CH₂, can be prepared for example

(a) reacting a compound of general formula II ##STR3##

or of general formula III ##STR4##

first with a base and then with a compound of general formula IV ##STR5##

to give a compound of general formula V ##STR6##

and then reducing this to the desired product, or

(b) reacting a compound of general formula VI ##STR7##

first with a base and then with a compound of general formula VII ##STR8##

to give a compound of general formula VIII ##STR9##

and then reducing this to the desired product, or

(c) condensing a compound of general formula IX ##STR10##

with an aldehyde of general formula X

R₄ CHO (X)

to given an α,β-unsaturated compound of general formula XI ##STR11##

and then reducing this to the desired product or

(d) condensing a compound of general formula XII ##STR12##

with an aldehyde of general formula IV ##STR13##

to give an α,β-unsaturated compound of general formula XIII ##STR14##

and then reducing this to the desired product, in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meanings given above and R₅ is alkyl or phenyl, R₆ is is alkyl and X is halogen.

The compounds of the invention, where A=O, can be prepared for example

(a) reacting a compound of general formula XIV ##STR15##

with a compound of general formula XV ##STR16##

in the presence of a base and using a solvent, or

(b) reacting a compound of general formula XVI ##STR17##

with a compound of general formula XVII ##STR18##

in the presence of a base and using a solvent, in which R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ have the meanings given above and Z is halogen, methanesulphonate or toluenesulphonate.

The reaction with the phosphonium salts or the phosphonates of general formula II, III and VI can be carried out, for example in the presence of an inert solvent, such as that generally used in Wittig reactions. Suitable solvents include alaphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as for example hexane, benzene or toluene, and ethers such as for example diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran. Other suitable solvents are amides, such as dimethylformamide or hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide. In some cases, alcohols or dimethyl sulphoxide can be used.

Suitable bases for the Wittig reaction include metal alcoholates, such as for example sodium ethanolate, metal hydrides, such as for example sodium hydride, metal amides, such as for example sodium amide and organometalic compounds, such as for example phenyllithium or butyllithium.

The compounds of general formula I in which the group R₁ is an alkoxyphenyl or haloalkoxyphenyl group etc., and A=CH₂, can also be obtained by treatment of a hydroxyphenyl derivative that can be prepared by hydrolysis of another alkoxyphenyl derivative, for example with the corresponding alkyl halide.

The etherification is generally carried out in solution. Suitable bases include metal alcoholates, such as for example potassium tert.-butylate, metal hydrides, such as for example sodium hydride, metal amides, such as for example lithium diisopropylamide and metal alkyl compounds, such as for example ethyl mangnesium bromide or butyllithium.

Suitable solvents, as opposed to the reactants, especially the bases, include inert substances such as aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as for example hexane, benzene or toluene and ethers such as for example diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or dimethoxyethane. Suitable further amides include dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide.

The etherification can further be carried out in a two phase system by using a catalyst and optionally a solvent. Bases that can be used include alkali metal hydroxides or alkali metal carbonates, either as solids or an aqueous solution. Suitable solvents are the reactants themselves as long as they are liquid. Otherwise they can be used in substances which are inert to the bases and which are immiscible with water, such as aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as for example hexane, benzene of toluene. Suitable catalysts include crown ethers and quaternary ammonium salts, such are described in Dehmlow and Dehmlow, Phase Transfer Catalysts, Weinheim 1980.

The reaction can be carried out at temperatures between -78° and 140°C, preferably at 20°-80°C, generally at room temperature.

The carbonyl compounds starting materials of general formula IV in which R₂ =H, and those of general formula VII are known either as such or as their analogues (R₁ =phenyl) and can be prepared according to methods described in the literature (F. E. Herkes, D. J. Burton, J. Org. Chem. 32, 1316 (1967); R. Stewart, K. C. Teo, Can. J. Chem. 58, 2491 (1980); C. Aaron, D. Dull, J. L. Schmiegel, D. Jaeger, Y. Ohashi, H. S. Mosher J. Org. Chem. 32, 2797 (1967).

The aldehyde compounds of formula IV, used as starting materials, in which R₂ is H, can be prepared by reacting a compound of general formula XVIII ##STR19##

which can be themselves prepared by methods described in literature, with a cyanisation reagent, such as for example trimethylsilyl cyanide, in the presence of a Lewis acid, such as for example TiCl₄ or SnCl₄, optionally using a solvent (M. T. Reetz, I. Chatziiosifidis, Angew. Chem. 93. 1075 (1981); R. Davis, K. G. Untch, J. Drg. Chem. 46, 2987 (1981) and then reducing the resulting nitrile of general formula XIX ##STR20##

to the desired aldehyde in conventional manner. R₁ and R₂ have the meanings given above and Y is a hydroxy group or a leaving group, such as for example halogen.

The compounds of general formula XIX, in which the group R₁ is an alkoxyphenyl or haloalkoxyphenyl group etc. can be obtained also by treatment of the corresponding hydroxyphenyl derivatives, (which themselves can be prepared by hydrolysis of another alkoxyphenyl derivative), for example by using the corresponding alkyl halide.

The phosphonium salt or phosphonate starting material of general formula II, III and VI can be obtained by treatment of R₄ CH(R₃)CH₂ X or R₄ CH(R₃)CH₂ CH₂ X, wherein X is a halogen atom, with (R₅)₃ P or (R₆ O)₃ P.

The alcohols used as starting materials of general formula XIV and XVII can be prepared by reduction of the corresponding nitrile, aldehyde, carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid ester. The reaction can be carried out according to known methods with metal hydride complexes, for example lithium aluminium hydride or alkyl aluminium hydrides for example diisobutylaluminium hydride. The halonide, tosylate and mesylates which are used, are known in themselves or can be prepared according to known methods (DE-OS No. 31 17 510, DE-OS No. 33 17 908, Houben-Wevl, Band 5/4, page 354; ibid. Band 9, page 663).

The compounds of the invention prepared by the above described processes can be isolated from the reaction mixture in conventional manner, for example by distillation of the solvent used at normal or reduced pressure or by extraction.

A higher degree of purity can be obtained as general rule by thin layer chromatography purification or by fractional distillation.

The compounds of the invention are, as a rule, colourless oils that are highly soluble in practically all organic solvents but are almost insoluble in water.

The compounds according to the invention can be used at a concentration of 0.005 to 5%, preferably from 0.001 to 1%, calculated as gram active material per 100 ml of the composition.

The compounds of the invention can be used either alone or in mixture with each other or another insecticide. Optionally other plant protection or pesticidal compositions, such as for example insecticides, acaricides or fungicides can be added depending on the desired result.

An improvement in the intensity and speed of action can be obtained, for example, by addition of suitable adjuvants, such as organic solvents, wetting agents and oils. Such additives may allow a decrease in the dose.

Suitable mixture partners may also include phospholipids, e.g. such as from the group phosphatidylcholine, hydrated phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, lysolecithin or phosphatidylglycerol.

The designated active ingredients or their mixtures can suitably be used, for example, as powders, dusts, granules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions, with the addition of liquid and/or solid carriers and/or diluents and, optionally, binding, wetting, emulsifying and/or dispersing adjuvants.

Suitable liquid carriers are, for example aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, cyclohexanone, isophorone, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimethylformamide, other mineral-oil fractions and plant oils.

Suitable solid carriers include mineral earths, e.g. tonsil, silica gel, talcum, kaolin, attapulgite, limestone, silicic acid and plant products, e.g. flours.

As surface-active agents there can be used for example calcium lignosulphonate, polyoxyethylenealkylphenyl ether, naphthalenesulphonic acids and their salts, phenolsulphonic acids and their salts, formaldehyde condensates, fatty alcohol sulphates, as well as substituted benzenesulphonic acids and their salts.

The percentage of the active ingredient(s) in the various preparations can vary within wide limits. For example, the compositions can contain about 10 to 90 percent by weight active ingredients, and about 90 to 10 percent by weight liquid or solid carriers, as well as, optionally up to 20 percent by weight of surfactant.

The agents can be applied in customary fashion, for example with water as the carrier in spray mixture volumes of approximately 100 to 3,000 l/ha. The agents can be applies using low-volume or ultra-low-volume techniques or in the form of so-called microgranules.

The preparation of these formulations can be carried out in a known manner, for example by milling or mixing processes. Optionally, individual components can be mixed just before use for example by the so-called commonly used tank-mixing method.

Formulations can be prepared, for example, from the following ingredients.

(a)

80 percent by weight active ingredient

15 percent by weight kaolin

5 percent by weight surface-active agent based on the sodium salt of N-methyl-N-oleyltaurine and the calcium lignosulphonate

(b)

45 percent by weight active ingredient

5 percent by weight sodium aluminium silicate

15 percent by weight cetylpolyglycol ether with 8 moles ethylene oxide

2 percent by weight spindle oil

10 percent by weight polyethylene glycol

23 parts water

(c)

20 percent by weight active ingredient

35 percent by weight bentonite

8 percent by weight calcium lignosulphonate

2 percent by weight of the sodium salt of N-methyl-N-oleyltaurine

35 percent by weight silicic acid

(d)

20 percent by weight active ingredient

75 percent by weight isophorone

5 percent by weight of an emulsifier mixture of calcium phenylsulphonate and fatty alcohol polyglycol ether

The following examples illustrate the preparation of compounds according to the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

PAC 5-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane PAR ##STR21##

1-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-2-penten e (15.12 g; 37.76 mmol) was hydrogenated in methanol (200 ml) with hydrogen using Raney nickel (5 g) at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure. After the calculated amount of hydrogen had been taken up, the catalyst was filtered off and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. After chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate/hexane as eluant, there was obtained a 10.1 g of product (=61.8% of theory).

n_D²0 :1.5434.

Preparation of the Starting Material

A solution of butyllithium in hexane (1.6 molar; 30 ml) was added, dropwise, under a nitrogen atmosphere to [2-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)ethyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide (26.76 g; 48 mmol) in absolute tetrahydrofuran (200 ml). After stirring for two hours, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropionaldehyde (10.13 g; 43.63 mmol) dissolve in absolute tetrahydrofuran (80 ml) was added, dropwise. The mixture was heated at reflux for 3 hours and then added to ice-water, extracted with ethyl acetate, the extract dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. After chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate as eluent, there was obtained 1-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-4-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-2-pente ne (15.2 g=80.5% of theory).

A 1.2 molar solution of diisobutylaluminium hydride in toluene (46 ml) was added, dropwise, to 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropionitrile (10.0 g; 43.6 mmol) in absolute toluene (100 ml) at a temperature of 5° to 10°C After stirring at room temperature for 3 hours, the mixture was added to ice-water, acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid, extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic phase was washed with water and dried over sodium sulphate. There was obtained 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropionaldehyde (9.5 g=93.7% of theory).

Trimethylsilyl cyanide (65.1 ml; 423 mmol) was added at room temperature to 1-chloro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylethane (77.6 g; 335.5 mmol) in methylene chloride (975 ml) followed by titanium tetrachloride (32.5 ml; 3.25 mmol). After stirring for 20 hours at room temparature, 2N sodium hydroxide was added carefully, dropwise, until the mixture was neutral and the precipitate separated over celite. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate and the extract dried over sodium suphate. After concentrating, there was obtained 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropionitrile (71.49 g=90% of theory).

Titanium tetrachloride (42.3 ml; 42.17 mmol) was added, dropwise, at room temperature to 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylethanol in methylene chloride (100 ml). After stirring for 1 hour, the mixture was added to ice-water, extracted with methylene chloride, washed first with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated. Following distillation in a rotary evaporator at 150°C/0.5 ml, there was obtained 1-chloro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylethane (77.67 g=76.7% of theory).

1,1,1-Trifluoroacetone (60.4 ml; 675 mmol) dissolved in absolute ether (80 ml) was added, dropwise, at 5° to 10°C to an ethereal Grignard solution (prepared from p-bromoanisole (84.17 g; 450 mmol) and magnesium (10.9 g; 450 mmol) in ether (600 ml)) and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. It was then added to saturated ammonium chloride solution, extracted with ether and the extract washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated. The precipitate was filtered off washed with hexane and the filtrate concentrated. 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylethanol (93.35 g=94.2% of theory) was obtained as a brown oil that was used without further purification. (The alcohol can also be coverted direct to the nitrile in a one-pot reaction.

EXAMPLE 2

PAC [2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl](4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl)ether PAR ##STR22##

Sodium hydride (144 mg; 6 mmol) was suspended in dimethoxyethane (16 ml) and then in turn, with stirring, there was added 2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-1-propanol (1.25 g; 5.044 mmol), a spatula of sodium iodide and 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl bromide (1.4 g; 5.04 mmol). After stirring for 5 hours at room temperature, the mixture was added to ice-water, extracted 3 times with ether and the extracts washed with water dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. After chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane, there was obtained 2.06 g of product (=91.1% of theory).

n₂0 D; 1.5375.

Preparation of the Starting Material

2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropionaldehyde (4.23 g; 17.18 mmol), prepared as described in Example 1 for 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropionaldehyde, was reduced with sodium borohydride in isopropanol (Organikum, VEB Deutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften, Berlin 1976, page 616). After working up and chromatography on silica gel using hexane/ethyl acetate, there was obtaine 2.71 g of 2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-1-propanol (=63.7% of theory).

EXAMPLE 3

PAC 4-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1-trifluoromethylbutane PAR ##STR23##

4-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1-trifluoromethyl-1-butene (3.18 g; 8.6 mmol) was hydrogenated in ethanol (40 ml) with hydrogen with the addition of Raney nickel (0.4 g) at room temperature and under atmospheric pressures. After the calculated amount of hydrogen had been taken up, the catalyst was filtered off and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. After chromatography on silica gel with hexane/toluene, there remained 2.49 g of product (=78% of theory).

n₂0 D: 1.5463.

Preparation of the Starting Material

A solution of butyllithium in n-hexane (8.5 ml of 1.6 molar) was added, dropwise, at room temperature and under a nitrogen atmosphere over 10 minutes to [3-(3-phenoxyphenyl)propyl]-triphenylphophonium bromide (7.67 g; 13.75 mmol) in absolute tetrahydrofuran (40 ml). After stirring for 2 hours, α,α,α-trifluoroacetophenone (2.18 g; 12.5 mmol) dissolved in absolute tetrahydrofuran (10 ml) was added dropwise. After stirring for 3 hours at room temperature, the mixture was added to ice-water, extracted with ether and the extract dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated. After chromotography on silica gel using hexane-toluene, there was obtained 4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1-trifluoromethyl-1-butene (3.31 g=71.9% of theory).

EXAMPLE 4

PAC 3-Phenoxybenzyl 2-phenyl-2-trifluoromethylethyl ether PAR ##STR24##

Sodium hydride (138 mg; 5.75 mmol) was suspended in dimethoxyethane (20 ml). There was then added in turn, with stirring, 2-phenyl-2-trifluoromethylethanol (1.0 g; 5.25 mmol), a spatula full of sodium iodide and 3-phenoxybenzyl bromide (1.39 g; 5.25 mmol). After stirring for 4 hours at room temperature, the mixture was added to ice-water, extracted with ether, the extract washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated. After chromatogrpahy on silica gel using a mixture of hexane and toluene, there was obtained 1.14 g of product (=58.3% of theory).

n²0 D: 1,546.

Preparation of the Starting Material

A 20% solution of diisobutylaluminium hydride in n-hexane (53.4 ml) was added, dropwise, to ethyl α-trifluoromethylphenylacetate (2.9 g; 12.5 mmol) (T. S. Everett, S. T. Purrington, C. L. Baumgardner, J. Org. Chem. 49, 3702 (1984)) in absolute tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) at about 60°C The mixture was then allowed to rise to room temperature and stirred for an hour at this temperature. Then at a temperature of 5°-10°C, methanol (10.5 ml) followed by 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide (5.3 ml) was added, dropwise. After 1.5 hours, the mixture was filtered and the filtrate dried over sodium sulphate which was washed with ethyl acetate and the organic phase concentrated. There was obtained 2-phenyl-2-trifluoromethylethanol (2.07 g=87.1 of theory).

In a similar way the following compounds were prepared:

TBL Exam- Physical ple constant No. Compound n_D²0 5 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- 1.5451 propyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 6 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- 1.5542 propyl 3-(N-methylanilino)benzyl ether 7 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- 1.5498 propyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 8 2,6-Dichlorobenzyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2- 1.5358 trifluoromethylpropyl ether 9 4-Fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-methoxy- 1.5402 phenyl-2-trifluoromethylpropyl ether 10 2-(4-Difluoromethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoro- 1.5239 methylpropyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 11 2-(4-Isopropoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoro- 1.5418 methylpropyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 12 4-Fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-isopropoxy- 1.5331 phenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl ether 13 2-(4-Isopropoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- 1.5390 propyl 6-phenoxy-2-pyridylmethyl ether 14 2-(4-Butoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoro- 1.5380 methylpropyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 15 2-(4-Butoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl 1.5305 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl ether 16 2-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-2-trifluoro- 1.5422 methylpropyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 17 4-Fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-[4-(2-fluoro- 1.5350 ethoxy)phenyl]-2-trifluoromethylpropyl ether 18 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoro- 1.5440 methylpropyl 6-phenoxy-2-pyridylmethyl ether 19 2-(4-Difluoromethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoro- 1.5203 methylpropyl 4-fluoro-phenoxybenzyl ether 20 2-(4-Butoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- 1.5542 propyl 3-(N-methylanilino)benzyl ether 21 2-(4-Difluoromethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoro- 1.5256 methylpropyl 6-phenoxy-2-pyridylmethyl ether 22 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxy- 1.5392 phenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane 23 5-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-2- 1.5350 (4-ispropoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane 24 2-(4-Difluoromethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-fluoro- 1.5223 3-phenoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane 25 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5505 2-trifluoromethylpentane 26 5-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2- 1.5130 (4-trifluoromethylsulphonyloxyphenyl)pentane 27 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-5-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5454 2-trifluoromethylpentane 28 2-(4-Isopropoxyphenyl)-5-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5410 2-trifluoromethylpentane 29 2-(4-Difluoromethoxyphenyl)-5-(3-phenoxy- 1.5280 phenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane 30 2-[4-(2,2-Dichlorovinyloxy)phenyl]-5- 1.5596 (3-phenoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoromethylpentane 31 4-Fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 1.5380 2-phenyl]-2-trifluoromethylethyl ether 32 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5461 1-trifluoromethylbutane 33 1-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5440 1-trifluoromethylbutane 34 1-(4-Isopropoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5391 1-trifluoromethylbutane 35 1-(4-Difluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxy- 1.5264 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 36 4-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl-1- 1.5122 (4-trifluoromethylsulphonyloxyphenyl)butane 37 1-(Fluorophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxy- 1.5360 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 38 1-(Methylphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxy- 1.5430 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 39 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-(4-methoxy- 1.5393 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 40 1-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3- 1.5350 phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 41 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5303 (4-isopropoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 42 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5048 trifluoromethyl-1-(4-trifluoromethyl- sulphonyloxyphenyl)butane 43 1-(4-Difluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro- 1.5178 3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 44 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5356 (4-methylphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 45 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5278 (4-fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 46 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4-methyl- 1.5460 enedioxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 47 2-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-2- 1.5385 (trifluoromethylpropyl) 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 48 2-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoro- 1.5350 methylpropyl) 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl ether 49 2-(4-Ethoxy-3-fluorophenyl)-2- 1.5376 (trifluoromethylpropyl) 3-phenoxybenxyl ether 50 2-(4-Ethoxy-3-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-trifluoro- 1.5312 methylpropyl) 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl ether 51 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoro- 1.5490 methylethyl) 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 52 4-Fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-methoxy- 1.5400 phenyl)-2-trifluoromethylethyl ether 53 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoro- 1.5422 methylethyl) 6-phenoxy-2-pyridylmethyl ether 54 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(2- 1.5319 fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 55 1-[4-(2,2-Difluorocyclopropylmethoxy)phenyl]- 1.5244 4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoro- methylbutane 56 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5060 [4-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)phenyl]- 1-trifluoromethylbutane 57 1[4-(2,2-Dichlorocyclopropylmethoxy)- 1.5450 phenyl]-4-(4-(fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- trifluoromethylbutane 58 1-(4-Ethenyloxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3- 1.5408 phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 59 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5101 [4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]- 1-trifluoromethylbutane 60 1-[4-(2,2-Difluorocyclopropyloxy)phenyl]- 1.5240 4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoro- methylbutane 61 1-[4-(2,2,2-Trichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)- 1.5236 phenyl]-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- trifluoromethylbutane 62 1-(3-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl]-4- 1.5420 (3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 63 1-(4-tert.-Butylphenyl]-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5366 1-trifluoromethylbutane 64 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoro- 1.5444 methylethyl) 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 65 1-(4-Ethoxy-3-fluorophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxy- 1.5376 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 66 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl- 1.5358 ethyl) 4-fluoro-3-phenoxy-benzyl ether 67 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5286 (3-fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 68 1-(3-Fluorophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5360 1-trifluoromethylbutane 69 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5210 (3,4-difluorophenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 70 1-(3,4-Difluorophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5290 1-trifluoromethylbutane 71 1-(4-tert.-Butylphenyl]-4-(4-fluoro-3- 1.5280 phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 72 1-(3-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro- 1.5330 3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 73 1-(4-Ethoxy-3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-fluoro- 1.5294 3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 74 1-(4-Difluoromethoxy-3-fluorophenyl]-4- 1.5119 (4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- trifluoromethylbutane 75 1-(3-Fluoro-4-isopropoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro- 1.5215 3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 76 4-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- 1.5534 2-naphthyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 77 1-(5-Indanyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5541 1-trifluoromethylbutane 78 1-(4-Phenoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5694 1-trifluoromethylbutane 79 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-(5-Indanyl)- 1.5461 1-trifluoromethylbutane 80 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-(5,6,7,8- 1.5380 tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 81 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-[3-(4-methoxyphenoxy- 1.5380 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 82 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1- 1.5585 (4-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 83 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-(4-pentafluoro- 1.4587 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 84 4-[3-(4-Chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-1- 1.5405 (4-fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 85 4-[3-tert.-Butylphenoxy)phenyl]-1- 1.5272 (4-fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 86 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl-4- 1.5037 [3-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]butane 87 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-[3-(4-methylphenoxy)- 1.5340 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 88 4-(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)-1- 1.5221 (4-fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 89 4-[4-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1- 1.4580 (4-fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 90 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(6-phenoxy)- 1.5316 2-pyridyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 91 4-(3-Anilinophenyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1.5620 1-trifluoromethylbutane 92 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(2,6-difluoro- 1.4780 2-phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 93 4-(2-Fluorenyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1.5648 1-trifluoromethylbutane 94 1-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl- 1.5144 4-[3-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxyphenyl]butane 95 1-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-4-[3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)- 1.5436 phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 96 4-(3-Anilino-4-fluorophenyl)-1-(4- 1.5550 fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 97 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(3,4-methylenedioxy- 1.5120 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 98 1-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-4-(6-phenoxy- 1.5405 2-pyridyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 99 4-[3-(4-tert.-Butylphenoxy)phenyl]-1- 1.5356 (4-ethoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 100 4-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl- 1.5149 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)butane 101 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxy)phenyl)-1-trifluoro- 1.5078 methyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)butane 102 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(2,3-methylenedioxy- 1.5094 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 103 4-(4-Ethoxy-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorophenyl- 1.4669 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 104 1-(4-Allyloxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)- 1.5465 1-trifluoromethylbutane 105 1-(4-Allyloxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxy- 1.5391 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 106 4-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-1-(4-propargyloxy- 1.5502 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 107 4-(4-Fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-(4-propargyl- 1.5430 oxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 108 1-[4-(But-2-inyloxy)phenyl]-4-(3-phenoxy- 1.5510 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 109 1-[ 4-(But-2-inyloxy)phenyl]-(fluoro- 1.5510 3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 110 1-(4-Bromophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxy- phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 111 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxy- phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 112 1-(4-Bromophenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxy- phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 113 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxy- phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 114 1,4-Bis-(4-Fluorophenyl)- 1.4860 1-trifluoromethylbutane 115 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(3-methoxy- 1.5040 phenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 116 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl-4- 1.4660 (3-trifluoromethylphenyl)butane 117 4-[3-(3,4-Dichlorophenoxy)phenyl]-1- 1.5493 (4-Fluorophenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane 118 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl- ethyl 4-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzyl ether 119 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl- ethyl 3-(2-fluoroethooxy)benzyl ether 120 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl- ethyl 4-(2-fluoroethooxy)benzyl ether 121 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl- ethyl 3-(2-fluoroethooxy)benzyl ether 122 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-[3-(2-fluoroethoxy)- phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 123 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)- phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 124 1-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy) phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 125 1-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-4-[3-(2-fluoroethoxy)- phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 126 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[3-(2-fluoroethoxy)- phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane 127 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)- phenyl]-1-trifluoromethylbutane

The following test Examples illustrate the possible uses of the compounds of the invention that have been suitably formulated for use.

TEST EXAMPLE 1

PAC Activity against Wingless Stages of Black Bean Aphids (Aphis fabae)

Compounds of the invention were made up as aqueous emulsions at a concentration of 0.1%. Broad bean (Vicia fabae) plants (one plant per pot) that had previously been infested with wingless stages of the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) were sprayed until dripping wet with these preparations. After this, the treated test samples were left in the laboratory under extended daylight conditions for 48 hours. The % mortality of the larvae after 48 hours from the start of the experiment in comparison with untreated controls indicated the level of activity.

In this experiment, the compounds of the preparative Examples 1-43, 44-46, 48-51, 53, 64, 66, 67, 69-75, 77, 79, 98 and 101 showed 100% activity.

TEST EXAMPLE 2

PAC Activity against Larvae of the Diamond-Backed Moth (Plutella xylostella).

The compounds of the invention were made up as aqueous emulsions at a concentration of 0.1%. Cabbage leaves (Brassica olearacea var. botrytis), placed in polystyrene petri dishes, were sprayed with these preparations (4 mg spray/cm²). After the sprayed surface had dried, 10 young larvae of the diamond-backed moth (Plutella xylostella) were placed in each petri dish and thereby exposed to the treated food in the closed dishes for two days. The % mortality of the larvae after two days indicated the level of activity.

In this experiment, the compounds of the preparative Examples 2, 3, 4, 9, 19, 22, 24, 31-54, 56, 58-60, 62, 72-75, 79-82, 84, 87, 90, 93, 95-98, 100 and 101 showed 100% activity.

TEST EXAMPLE 3

PAC Activity against Larvae (L3) of the Mexican Bean Beetle (Epilachna varivestis)

The compounds of the invention were made up as aqueous emulsions at a concentration of 0.1%. French bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) in the primary leaf stage were dipped in the preparations. For each test, two plant stems with in total four primary leaves were placed in glass vases filled with water and enclosed in plexiglass cylinders. Then five larvae of the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) at the third larval stage were put in the glass cylinders and kept for three days under extended daylight conditions. The % mortality of the larvae after three days indicated the level of activity.

In these experiments the compounds of Examples 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 22, 24, 28, 33 and 62-66 showed 100% mortality.

TEST EXAMPLE 4

PAC Activity against Larvae (L2) of the Cotton Army Worm (Spodoptera littoralis)

Compounds of the invention were made up as aqueous emulsions at a concentration of 0.1%. Leaflet pairs of beans (Vicia fabae) as well as 10 larvae (L2) of the cotton army worm (Spodoptera littoralis) per experiment were sprayed with 4 mg spray/cm² of these preparations in polystyrene petri dishes. The closed petri dishes were left in the laboratory under extended daylight conditions for two days. The % mortality of the larvae after two days indicated the level of activity.

In this experiment, the compounds of the preparative Examples 2, 3, 4, 9, 12, 17, 18, 21, 33-46, 49, 50, 52, 54, 58-60, 62, 64-70, 72, 75, 84, 90, 96, 98, 100 and 101 showed 100% activity.

TEST EXAMPLE 5

PAC Ovicidal Activity against Eggs of the Cotton Army Worm (Spodoptera littoralis)

The compounds of the invention were made up as aqueous emulsions at a concentration of 0.1%. One day old eggs that had been laid on filter paper by fertilised female moths were dipped in the preparations until they were completely wet and then placed in closed petri dishes in the laboratory under extended daylight conditions for four days. The % inhibition of hatching of the eggs in comparison with untreated eggs indicates the level of activity.

In this experiment, the compounds of the preparative Examples 2, 4, 5, 64-66, 72, 73, 77, 87, 90 and 96 showed 100% activity.

TEST EXAMPLE 6

PAC Activity against Motile Stages and Eggs of the Two Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae)

Compounds of the invention were made up as an aqueous emulsion at a concentration of 0.1%. Dwarf bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) in the primary leaf stage, which had been infested with spider mites (Tetranychus urticae), were sprayed with these preparations until they were dripping wet and left in a laboratory for seven days under extende daylight conditions. After this, the % mortality of the motile stages on the one hand and the eggs on the other hand were estimated in comparison with untreated controls, using a magnifying glass.

In this experiment, the compounds of the preparative Examples 11, 12, 13, 19, 23, 24, 66, 69, 74, 75, 82, 84, 87 and 90-96 showed 100% activity.

TEST EXAMPLE 7

PAC Activity in Prophylactic Treatment of Leaves against Brown Rice-Hoppers (Niliparvata lugens Stal)

In a heated greenhouse, rice seedlings (about 15 per pot) were grown until formation of the third leaf and then sprayed until dripping wet with an aqueous preparation containing 0.1% of active material. After drying the sprayed leaves, a transparent cylinder was placed over each pot. 30 Adult brown rice-hoppers (Niliparvata lugens) were introduced into each pot. After 2 days at 26°C in the greenhouse, the amount of dead hoppers was determined. The activity was calculated according to Abbott in comparison with several untreated control pots.

Complete death was reached with the compounds of Examples 4, 12, 19, 22, 24, 33, 35-46, 49-55, 59-62, 64-81, 83, 84, 90, 94-96 and 114.

TEST EXAMPLE 8

PAC Tickicidal Activity against Boophilus microplus

9 cm diameter filter papers were impregnated with 1 ml aliquots of acetone solutions of test compound at various concentrations. The papers were allowed to dry and then folded into envelopes in which cattle tick larvae, (Boophilus micoplus) were enclosed and held at 25°C and 80% R.H. for 48 hours. The percentage mortality of tick larvae was then recorded and compared with controls.

The controls gave a mortality of less than 5% whereas compounds of Examples 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 25, 26, 28, 32, 33, 37-46, 48, 51-55, 57, 58, 60, 62-67, 69-72, 74, 76, 77 and 79-81. caused 50% mortality at a concentration of 300 ppm or less.

TEST EXAMPLE 9

PAC Insecticidal Activity against Lucilia sericata

1 ml aliquots of an acetone solution containing test compound at various concentrations were applied to cotton wool dental rolls 1 cm×2 cm, contained in glass vials (2 cm diameter×5 cm long). After drying, the treated materials were then impregnated with 1 ml of nutrient solution, infested with first instar larvae of sheep blowfly (Lucilia sericata), closed by a cotton wool plug and held at 25°C for 24 hours.

For the controls the morality was <5% whereas the compounds of Examples 2, 5, 7, 9-18, 22, 23, 28, 32-35, 37-46, 51-55, 57, 58, 60-67, 69-72, 74, 76, 77 and 79-81 had an LC₅0 of 100 ppm or less.

TEST EXAMPLE 10

PAC Insecticidal Activity against Musca domestica

Aliquots of acetone solutions of test compounds at various concentrations were applied to 9 cm diameter filter papers placed in the bottom of 9 cm diameter petri dishes closed by glass lids. After evaporation of solvent, the treated surfaces, together with control treated with acetone alone, were then infested with adult houseflies, (Musca domestica) and held at 22°C for 24 hours.

The percentage mortality of the insects was then recorded. Less than 5% mortality resulted in the control treatments whereas the compounds of Examples 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 32, 39, 40, 43, 44 and 66 had an LC₅0 of 400 mg/m² or less.

TEST EXAMPLE 11

PAC Insecticidal Activity against Blattella germanica

Aliquots of acetone solutions of test compounds at various concentrations were applied to glass plates (10 cm×10 cm). After evaporation of solvent, the treated surfaces, together with controls treated with acetone alone, were then infested with second instar nymphs of the German cockroach, (Blattella germanica), retained on the treated surface within PTFE-coated glass rings 6 cm in diameter and held for 24 hours at 22°C The percentage mortality of the insects was then recorded.

Less than 5% mortality resulted in the control treatments whereas the compounds of Examples 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11-13, 16, 17, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32, 33, 37-46, 51-55, 57, 58, 60-62, 67, 69-72, 74, 76, 77 and 79-81 had an LD₅0 of 100 mg/m² or less.

Claims

1. An alkane or alkoxyalkane derivative of the formula ##STR25##

in which

R₁ is aryl or heteroaryl or these groups substituted by C₁-4 alkyl, halo-C₁-4 alkyl, phenyl-C₁-4 alkyl, C₂-4 alkenyl, halo-C₂-4 alkenyl, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyl, C₂-4 alkynyl, halo-C₂-4 alkynyl, phenyl-C₂-4 alkynyl, C₁-4 alkoxy, halo-C₁-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C₁-4 alkoxy, C₂-4 alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, C₂-4 alkynyloxy, halo-C₂-4 akynyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkynyloxy, alkylsulphonyloxy, haloalkylsulphonyloxy, arylsulphonyloxy, halo, cyano, nitro, aryloxy, haloaryloxy, C₁-4 alkylaryloxy, or nitroaryloxy, wherein heteroaryl is benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, indanyl or benzodioxanyl

R₂ is hydrogen or C₁-4 alkyl,

R₃ is hydrogen, cyano or ethynyl,

R₄ is phenyl or pyridyl or these groups substituted by at least one of C₁-6 alkyl, halo-C₁-6 alkyl, phenyl-C₁-6 alkyl, C₂-6 alkyl interrupted by an O-, N- or S-atom, C₂-4 alkenyl, halo-C₂-4 alkenyl, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyl, C₁-4 alkoxy, halo-C₁-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C₁-4 alkoxy, C₂-4 alkenyloxy, halo-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkenyloxy, C₂-4 alkynyloxy, halo-C₂-4 alkynyloxy, phenyl-C₂-4 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, haloaryloxy, C₁-4 alkylaryloxy, arylamino, haloarylamino, C₁-4 alkylarylamino, aryl-N-C₁-4 alkylamino, aryl-N-C₁-4 acylamino, aroyl, haloaroyl, C₁-4 alkylaroyl, aryl, haloaryl, C₁-4 alkylaryl or halo, and

A is ch₂ or O .

2. alkane or alkoxyalkane derivative according to claim 1, in which

R₁ is chlorophenyl, bromophenyl, fluorophenyl, methylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, difluoromethoxyphenyl, fluoroethoxyphenyl, or trifluoroethoxyphenyl,

R₂ is hydrogen or methyl,

R₃ is hydrogen,

R₄ is phenoxyphenyl, fluorophenoxyphenyl or phenoxypyridyl and

A is ch₂ or O .

3. Insecticidal and acaricidal composition which comprises a compound claimed in claim 1 in admixture with an agriculturally acceptable diluent.

4. A method of combating insects and acarids which comprises applying to the insects or acarids or their locus an effective amount of a compound claimed in claim 1.

5. The method of claim 4 in which said compound is [2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl](4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl)ethe r, 2-phenoxybenzyl 2-phenyl-2-trifluoromethylethyl ether or 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl ether.

6. The method of claim 4 in which said compound is 5-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane, 4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 1-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethy lbutane, 1-(3-fluoro-4-isopropoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluorome thylbutane, 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(6-phenoxy-2-pyridyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)butane, or [4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxy)phenyl]-1-trifluoromethyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylpheny l)butane.

7. A method of combatting insects and acarids which comprises applying to the insects or acarids or to their locus an effective amount of a compound claimed in claim 2.

8. Insecticidal and acaricidal composition according to claim 3 in which said compound is [2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl](4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl)ethe r, 2-phenoxybenzyl 2-phenyl-2-trifluoromethylethyl ether or 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl ether.

9. Insecticidal and acaricidal composition according to claim 3 in which said compound is 5-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane, 4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 1-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethy lbutane, 1-(3-fluoro-4-isopropoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluorome thylbutane, 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(6-phenoxy-2-pyridyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)butane, or [4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxy)phenyl]-1-trifluoromethyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylpheny l)butane.

10. Insecticidal and acaricidal composition which comprises a compound claimed in claim 2 in admixture with an agriculturally acceptable diluent.

11. alkane or alkoxyalkane derivative according to claim 1 which is [2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl](4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl)ethe r, 2-phenoxybenzyl 2-phenyl-2-trifluoromethylethyl ether or 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzyl 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpropyl ether.

12. alkane or alkoxyalkane derivative according to claim 1 which is 5-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylpentane, 4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 1-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethy lbutane, 1-(3-fluoro-4-isopropoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluorome thylbutane, 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(6-phenoxy-2-pyridyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane, 4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)butane, and [4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxy)phenyl]-1-trifluoromethyl-1-(3-trifluoromethylpheny l)butane.

13. alkane derivative according to claim 1 which is 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane or 1-(4-ethoxy-3-fluorophenyl)-4-(3-phenoxyphenyl)-1-trifluoromethylbutane.

14. Insecticidal and acaricidal composition which comprises a compound claimed in claim 13 in admixture with an agriculturally acceptable diluent.

15. A method of combating insects and acarids which comprises apply to the insects or acarids or their locus an effective amount of a compound claimed in claim 13.